Sunday, January 28, 2007

SPECTAR 1st mtg. went great! People showed up that we had no idea were coming! Mom's from other classes, 2 unexpected district people. People seemed very interested. It was even fun despite having to go over bylaws and election stuff.Sherrie translated to Spanish for a couple of women. 2 people off the floor joined the board, and we seem to have locked in on babysitters for other events. We all introduced ourselves and briefly described our kids. This was a nice touch to add to the sense of community.We, the originators, were all excited.43 members signed up (some of them off site grandparents and fathers etc) we ended up with over $400. in membership fees. Part goes to the district and state PTA-but most stays with us and viola we have a started a small, but actual budget!!!Mon night I go to a mtg to present spectar to district wide PTA's.I feel the external support for this group and it imakes me happy!!

Wow. What a day.I got my hair cut! Woo hoo! Not only has it been months since a haircut. This time it actually has a style. Of course I said I would commit to blow drying, time will tell. Likely “okay” if I don’t blow dry-better if I do and even better if I can ever figure out how the stylist did it!SF Examiner called yesterday to interview about spectar, the special ed pta I am involved in creating. Then they wanted a picture, and the photographer would come to me. Yikes! I ran out of the house to get my hair cut.When the photographer arrived he suggested taking my picture with the dog. Kind of ironic b/c he had no idea how much I adore her, or that she is an integral part in my therapy day, etc. He wanted to take my pic with AJ, as he is the child of mine I have identified as having special needs. AJ wasn’t home-but I wouldn’t have done it anyway. And I asked that both of my children be listed so as not to single him out. He is fully included in a regular ed class-I don’t want his pic plastered on some paper as the special needs kid. I have concerns even about putting myself out there; as it not-so-indirectly implies my kids who both can at times “fly under the radar” of looking “typical”.The first formal mtg of spectar, with “installation” of officers a signing up of charter members, is tomorrow night. I am excited and a bit nervous. But I know it will go great. Even if there are only 15 of us! Hopefully, there will be a fair number of people.I feel so supported in this endeavor. What was also great about today was that the PTA Pres of my kid’s school called me. (I am also on that PTA board as secretary). She is planning so that next Monday I can attend a mtg of the district various pta/ptos and talk about specter. This is great!Also got a call from the county provider I contract with and it looks like more clients are headed my way. Yippee!!!A fabulous day indeed.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

That's how I feel.You may know the experience.Waking up in the middle of the night and trying to swallow around that fire-hot ping pong ball in your throat.And some funky metallic taste that only briefly disappears with the drinking of hot coffee and mint tra.

Friday, January 05, 2007

I've been workingthru the sellingof Mom's condo escrow, termites, house inspectors etc for the last month. It caused me some anxiety, as I have no idea what I am doing. I am so grateful for the realtor we had. She is a friend of my Mom's and just walked me thru everything and really went the extra mile. Including making less than the other realtor on the sale. I trusted her implicitly and it was nice to be able to feel that way. My brother checked in often to see how things were going and said he could fly out here 9from Texas) if he was needed.So today I got the final message on the machine. Escrow has closed. It is a done deal. I thought I would feel relieved and happy. Instead, I felt a bit sad. It is a marker, another clear chapter closure on that part of her life and my life. I grew up in that town and readily traveled there to stay and visit Mom, Dad and his wife and the few remaining friends there. Mom and her condo were my anchor there. It won't ever be that way again. Some how it just hit me now and I am mourning that chapter closing.

I've been workign thru the sellin gof Mom's condo escrow, termites, house inspectors etc for the last month. It caused me some anxiety, as I have no idea what I am doing. I am so grateful for the realtor we had. She is a friend of my Mom's and just walked me thru everything and really went the extra mile. Including making less than the other realtor on the sale. I trusted her implicitly and it was nice to be able to feel that way. My brother checked in often to see how things were going and said he could fly out here 9from Texas) if he was needed.So today I got the final message on the machine. Escrow has closed. It is a done deal. I thought I would feel releived and happy. Instead, I felt a bit sad. It is a marker, another clear chapter closure on that part of her life and my life. I grew up in that town and readily traveled there to stay and visit Mom, Dad and his wife and the few remainig friends there. Mom and her condo were my anchor there. It won't ever be that way again. Some how it just hit me now and I am mourning that chapter closing.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Big girl. Makes me a bit sad that she, my baby, is six.In summary:wants gifts that are coolwants a party at Chuck E Cheesefavorite gifts are anything to do with Super Hero'swants a cake with Spiderman on itwanted a pet fish-so I surprise her and take her to a fish store and announce, "This is Kianna and it is her birthday and she wants to get a Beta fish." As we leave with our purchase I say, "You have to think of a name for him.""Jack," she says. "Jack-Jack is his nickname." We are into nick names at our house. Also, Jack or Jack-Jack is the name of the baby superhero in the movie "The Incredibles"Love that big girl.

Mom had her bday, 81 years old. We went out for lunch with Signora Blog and her visiting Mom. It was nice. I don't see aside time for just Mom and I. So often I feel like I need a break from her and the kids that I don't set aside that time. She had a nice time and I am glad. Escrow on her condo closes tomarrow. Thank God we had a real estate agent who is a friend of hers. It is all so new to me. After the MD apt with pulmonologist (and good news I am counting on) in a couple weeks we'll move forward with looking into having her move into the assisted living place. So much to do. forms, forms, appointments, medical charts, a ya ya ya to do.

About Me

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) with over 25 years of experience. I specialize in evaluating and treating feeding difficulties. Feeding evaluations, and many therapy sessions, are done in collaboration with the Occupational Therapist at Sage Therapy. Izzy, a golden retriever, is a specially trained therapy dog who rounds out our team.